Making More: Upcycled Coffee Cans

While the birds are singing the songs of spring, you’re busy preparing your indoor and outdoor spaces for the summer months to come. If you’re looking for some décor that is custom and affordable, try crafting your own birdfeeder by repurposing a coffee can for the birds (and your eyes!) to enjoy. It’s a simple process that anyone who can handle a pair of wire cutters can do.

Follow the instructions below to get a jump-start on your lawn’s spring makeover!

Materials

Metal coffee can
Drill
Craft wire
Spray paint
Wire cutters
Scrap screen
Hot glue gun (optional)
Painter’s tape
Birdseed

Instructions

Drill

1. Cut a 1- to 2-inch hole in the lid of the coffee can and a second, much smaller hole right below it where the perch will go
2. While the drill is going, a) make two small holes on either side of the can where the wings will attach and b) two small holes at the head and the base of the can where the hanging wire will go

Paint

3. Spray paint the can and lid black, or whatever colour the base will be. Let dry

Snip

4. Cut four long pieces of wire, approximately 12-inches long
5. Loop two wires into a teardrop shape, twisting the bottom together extending 1/2- to 1-inch. At this point, you can add the mesh/screen to span the wires. If you choose to add the screens, hot glue them to the wire. Twist the other two around each other for the hanger

More paint

6. Make sure the base colour is completely dry. Then, using painter’s tape, create a pattern on the can for where stripes or spots will appear and spray paint again

Glue

7. Attach the wings and perch using the hot glue gun. For best results, bend the twisted end piece of the wings so they hook into the holes. The perch will need to be about 1/3 of the way into the hole to stabilize

Tip: Add any extra pizzazz to it, like eyes, tiny wire legs or antennae. Anything you use will need to be weather-friendly and hot-glued to the feeder. Get creative!

Adding Feed

8. Fill up the feeder, hang on a branch, and watch the birds flock to the best-looking feeder on the block

Tip: Love repurposing old indoor materials into beautiful garden crafts? Turn an old shower caddy into a hanging garden, or use old silverware for a creative wind chime with our instructions.

Want to bring some of the upcycling indoors? Perk up one of your rooms with another idea for repurposing an old coffee can.

Rustic Birch Bark Vase

Materials

Birch bark (Check your local craft store or home improvement store for birch)
Twine
Metal coffee can
Glue gun (and glue sticks)

Instructions

1. Wrap your birch around the outside of the can(s), and glue the beginning and end.
2. Wrap twine around a few times and tie off for an added rustic, finished detail

Tip: Don’t fret if it’s not looking neat and tidy. The twine looks nice when it’s layered and imperfect.

3. Show off some peonies or hydrangeas in this newly made DIY creation!